Mike Gibby
Atrium
By: Jessica

CS: How did your group form? Did you start out together or did you pick up players along the way?

Mike: We All met through church, high school and college. Really the only way to explain it is God wanted us together. He has put us together with people i probably would've never met. We have change our line up a couple of times. We are on our third bassist and our third rhythm guitarist. God keeps on blessing our old members with great opportunities and blessing us with new musicians. We really can't complain.

CS: How long have you all been together?How long has the group been in existence, not counting any possible changes in members?

Mike: This December will be three years. We are working in two new members right now. We are waiting on that to get worked out and then we will start again. If that at all answers your question.

CS: How has this affected the group? Did it take awhile to bond? What kind of relationship do you all have now?

Mike: We are like brothers...umm...or maybe like close cousins. I'm kidding. We are really very close. God said iron sharpens iron, so we are all about keeping each other accountable. It really didn't take long for us to become friends. This whole thing has really made us tighter as friends and musically.

CS: What kind of equipment do you use?

Mike: Well since I am the One answering all of this, I will start with myself. I play a 5 piece Pearl Masters kit 6 ply maple in the diamond burst finish. I play all Sabian cymbals, and I usually use pro mark sticks. Danny (Vocals/ Rhythm) has an awesome new Martin acoustic and he has a 1981 Gibson with a Marshall half stack. Brooks (Lead/Backup Vocals) has a great Washburn he uses. He also has a Fender, and Martin Acoustic. He plays through a Marshall JCM 900, and a 4 12 cab. I', not really sure what the new guys are using yet.

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting? Why did you decide up on this as a focus?

Mike: We are focused on lost souls, no matter the age. We usually appeal to the youngsters, but we have a heart for all of them. We want to show the world Jesus Christ and what he has done, and what he can do.

CS: What does your groups name mean?

Well it can be used in different ways, but this is my version. One meaning is a glass room, like a greenhouse. The glass magnifies the light and the plants grow. With us, I like to think that God uses us the same way. His love magnifies through us, and helps others to grow.

CS: Where did you come up with it?

Mike: Danny just came in to practice and said "What about Atrium?" And it was better than anything we had come up with.

CS: Where do you see the band in five years? Ten? The future?

Mike: I hope we will still be playing together. God put us together for a reason, so I see no reason to stop. Until God tells us to stop, We are going to keep on keepin' on.

CS: Do you ever worry about getting caught up in the world of show biz? That success will change your group?

Mike: Sometimes, but we are pretty far from rock stars. lol We have ran into trying to put on a show early on, but we stopped that before it became a problem. We have all said that yes it is our dream to make it big, but if we do we will not change our focus or our attitudes.

CS: What kind of relationship do you maintain with your audiences? Do you fellowship with them? Or do you remain distant as the performer?

Mike: We love to hang out with them. I think that is where the real ministering goes on, getting personal with them. If i hit a drum all night, i might be helping the band as a whole minister. But until i get down and fellowship with the people, I don't really get the chance to get to know them on a one on one. So we feel that is a must.

CS: How would you describe your music style?

Mike: Well, this is the tough one. The best description was Third Day meets Switchfoot. But you decide.

CS: Who, or what, are your biggest musical influences?

Mike: As a band it goes from Disciple to The Gaither Vocal band to Third Day to Jars of Clay to Audio a. We are all so different, the list could go on and on.

CS: Are you involved in any other ministries?

Mike: Yes we all are very involved. From Praise bands to choir members, and Sunday school teachers. We all try to do as much as we can. And no matter how late on a Saturday night we play, we always go to church. That is very important. You have to be grounded in you local church.

CS: How much time do you spend practicing as a group? How much time do you practice individually?

Mike: Well as a group we try to practice and least once a week. I don't get to very often because i live in an apartment. Danny and Brooks practice alot though. I need to make more time to practice. We can never practice enough.

CS: Does the group come together for prayer at times other than concerts and ministry opportunities?

Mike: We pray before and after practice, before and after shows. We also usually pray while we are playing, because when we play it is all going to God. We are trying to play directly to him.

CS: Anything else you want to add? Do you have any suggestions or comments directed to the youth of this world?

Mike: Get involved in your churches. If you play an instrument, use that talent for God. Or any talent for that matter. The world will take it from you and twist it into a hunk of junk, God will make it a powerful weapon against the evil of this world. Be bold and give everything you have to God.